Come to Sunflower Downs in Princeton, BC, make a few bets, meet old friends, and make some new ones! Enjoy the beautiful surrounding area, have a great day and when you are leaving think of what a great time you will have next year.

Address:

Sunflower Downs, Princeton Fair Grounds

315 Laurie Currie Way

Princeton, BC

FREE ADMISSION!

Contact:

John Bey: 250-295-3970

E-mail: jrbey@nethop.net

Carol Ruoss: 250-295-7891

E-mail: gemma@persona.ca

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Made famous by the discovery of gold in 1897, Hedley became one of the great names in Canadian gold mining history. Named after Robert R. Hedley, manager of the Hall Smelter in Nelson, who had grubstaked many of the early prospectors, Hedley grew quickly and by 1900 boasted a population of over 1,000 with 5 hotels and a large stamp mill.

The V.V.&E. railroad arrived in Hedley in 1909 to help haul the gold out at the incredible rate of more than 50,000 ounces per year. In 1936 the Mascot Mine started operation, increasing the total production to more than 1.5 million ounces of gold and in excess of four million pounds of copper. By that time Hedley boasted all of the major conveniences of a small city, including a nine-hole gold course.

Between 1956 and 1957 there were several disastrous fires in the community and this, coupled with dwindling ore production from the mines led to Hedley’s steady decline.

Nowadays, Hedley is a quiet community with an approximate population of 350.

There are many Historic Sites and buildings for tourists to visit. The first stop should always be the fascinating displays at the Hedley Mining Museum and Wild Goat Gift Shop. Pick up a map and visit the incredible Mascot Mine, a 1904 miner’s cottage, Historic Log Barn and the Blacksmith Shop as well as Hedley’s fascinating and historic cemetery.

In May 1904 the Stamp Mill began to crush the ore from Nickel Plate Gold Mine and continued to do so until 1955.

Once a year the community celebrated Stamp Mill Day in order to commemorate the dropping of the first stamp and the retrieval of vast tons of gold from the mine high above the town, historically this included a parade, games for children, a picnic and competitions.

In 2003 Hedley’s Heritage Museum Society, with the help of other Hedley community clubs and individuals, revived the traditional Stamp Mill Day celebration and it will be celebrated again this year.

The celebration will be on May 5th and will begin with the ringing of the old fire bell, a hearty pancake breakfast, followed by the crowning of the Hedley May Queen, a parade, an outhouse race and wagon rides.

Other activities include gold panning, entertainment and old fashioned contests for all ages.

Community clubs, businesses and home owners will drape their buildings and homes with red and white bunting and volunteers dressed in vintage clothing will add to the heritage feel of the day.;

In 1910 there began a gigantic industrial dream to build a “Great Cement City” called East Princeton, with an enormous cement plant and a complete powerhouse. The dream was to cost over a million dollars. It also cost a number of workers their lives. Four years and hundreds of thousands of man-hours by skilled craftsmen, stone masons, carpenters and engineers, resulted in a colossal architectural achievement known as The Portland Cement Plant .But, nine short months later, the dream fell into silence: the plant was closed down. Some say they ran out of limestone from the on-site mountains; some say the coal they needed for the operation failed to appear because of conflicts with the needs of the First World War, and some say it was never meant to succeed.

Now, some 80 years later, people are again returning to experience the magic of what has become known as PRINCETON CASTLE . Prior to the closure of the cement plant, a Mr. George Edwards surfaced in Princeton. He was greatly admired by Princeton’s townfolk -the ladies found him to be a great dancer, the men found him to be agreat horseman and a big spender. No one ever suspected that Mr. GeorgeEdwards was actually Bill Miner , the notorious train robber.

The Canadian Pacific Railway, Wells Fargo and other American railways had all been victimized by him. He was the first train and stagecoach robber in North America. Bill Miner’s hideout was on the hillside near Princeton Castle. Rumours have it, his unfound treasure still resides there

Located in Princeton, British Columbia, Princeton Castle Resort is the ideal place to get away from it all – to enjoy country luxury. Located directly beside the historic Princeton Castle, our cedar log lodge is one vacation spot you won’t soon forget. We have something for everyone whether for a large group or a couple seeking a BC romantic get away.

Our campgrounds and RV Park offers RV hook-ups and tenting sites, as well as deluxe log chalets & cabins and regular cabins perfect for the family camping trip, and we also provide on-site laundry services. We also have a small convention center for reunions, corporate retreats and group functions.

This is a natural BC setting where you may awake to find a doe and her fawns drinking at the creek, hear the slapping of a beaver tail on the water, or the yapping of the coyotes. See the historic ruins of the cement plant, which now resemble gigantic walls of a Medieval Castle — relax on the spacious Dining Patio – see the Fossil Stairway – pan for gold – or fish in the running creek.

Right on site we can provide you with beautiful British Columbia sightseeing and wildlife viewing. See first-hand the local wildlife of deer, beavers, chipmunks, squirrels and marmots living in their natural environment. The Kettle Valley Railroad trail runs by so nature lovers can hike or bike our numerous scenic trails, or you can just relax by the lake and soak in the serene beauty of Princeton Castle. There’s also horse back riding, swimming, and Peddle Boat rentals available.

At Princeton Castle Resort, in BC’s Okanagan Similkameen region, you’ll find a range of winter activities that include snowmobiling, cross country skiing. Our guests can also enjoy snow shoeing, and snowmobiling is extremely popular in our area as well.

Coalmont, once known as the “City of Destiny,” was founded in 1910 when Columbia Coal and Coke Ltd. decided they needed a town between Granite City and their sawmill in Tulameen. Coalmont was big for a while, but then things slowed down and finally stopped once the coal age ended and the company ceased local operations.

Coalmont is now most famous for the Coalmont Hotel, in existence since 1911.;

There is a scenic provincial campground and many summer homes are available for vacationing out-of-town residents. The usually quiet streets of Tulameen are turned into a bustling array of fun and frolic every year during Tulameen Family Fun Days – this year being celebrated on the weekend of August 2-3. Come on out and enjoy the fun!;

China Ridge Trails are 8.5 kms northwest of Princeton, BC.

Access is via Tulameen Avenue & West China Creek Road.

The main parking lot and information kiosk is at 7 km

and there is a second small parking lot at 5 km Some of the trails

have been designated for people with dogs. Please keep

dogs in these designated areas.

Please snowshoe on the designated trails or explore the

areas outside of the main trail system.

Accommodation is available in Princeton.

There are no trail fees but donations are appreciated. A recommended donation is set at $5.00 – $10 per person. Your donations enable our Club to maintain and track the trails so we thank you in advance.

Users must sign the register each day. Use trails at your own risk. Trails are rated for your protection and are not patrolled. Please pack out whatever you pack in and if you make a fire at one of our shelters be sure it is out when you leave. Enjoy our Similkameen Sunshine and Mountain Fresh Air!!

HAVE FUN AND COME BACK AND VISIT US AGAIN!

Golf Course. Take the Virtual Tour, or take the time

to browse the Hole By Hole pages at

(www.princetongolfclub.com) for more details on

the course layout.

Our Divots Restaurant is fully licenced and has a scenic view from the large patio overlooking the #1 tee box and #9 green along with scenic Amber ski hill. We have a fully serviced RV Park with laundry facilities and offer RV Packages.

Amber is found around Coalmont, and the old Blakeburn ghost town area offers honey onyx as well. Selenite crystals and leaf and insect fossils are found in shale slides located near Whipsaw Creek.

The rivers and creeks in the region are known for recreational gold panning, with gold and platinum to be found. Rock hounding restrictions apply on established claims. There is a Gold Panning Reserve within the municipal boundaries of Princeton where hand panning is allowed with a pan and small hand tools.

For a map of panning areas, see the Chamber of Commerce or the government agent.

For full rules & regulations visit:

fossilmaagementframework.doc

It will give you a full PDF document.;